Table supported surgical retractor and pelvic support

ABSTRACT

An operating table supported surgical retractor assembly for individual retracting blades which hold the various parts of the body away from the surgical area. The assembly includes a generally C-shaped retractor which is particularly designed for hip or shoulder area operations. A body support for the pelvic region firmly supports the patient on his side during the operation to enable the surgeon to work on the patient and know precisely the location of the patient&#39;&#39;s bones in the surgical area. The body support also provides a mounting for the retractor when the patient is operated on while lying on his side.

United States Patent [191 [111 3,823,709 McGuire July 16, 1974 [541TABLE SUPPORTED SURGICAL RETRACTOR AND PELVIC SUPPORT Primaryl*;j:taminer-l)yILXlge Assistant xaminer ei rams [76] Inventor: GeorgeMcGuire Rt. 3 Orange Ln.,

Depere, Wis 54115 Attorney, Agent, or Firm James E. Nilles [22] Filed:Apr. 27, 1973 [57] ABSTRACT 211 A 355 034 An operating table supportedsurgical retractor assembly for individual retracting blades which holdthe various parts of the body away from the surgical area. [52] US.128/20, 128/132 D, 269/328 Th assembly includes a generally C Shapedretractol. [51] '9' Aflb 7 A61g 13/00 which is particularly designed forhip or shoulder area Field of Search 128/20, 132, 132 D, 134; OperationsI 1 19/103; 3 328; 5/327 R A body support for the pelvic region firmlysupports CM :22 $2132 il firi lliii ilitiifitlififiiiv 32E221; UNITEDSTATES PATENTS the location of the patients bones in the surgical area.

6 hn i VJ l "wk |m .m t nn 8 uo m d g m .I m F a 8 S n 0 .1 n N VB r mmn 8 e m m n, an m Le JI- rh h or C n W 6 S 1 We V. d d i om b w m n Two0 80 m n 8%00 2 92 il /D] .92.

mtou WSERT 02603 55577 99999 HHHH.H 22960 PATENIED JUL 1 81974 SHEUIUFGPATENTED JUL 1 6 I974 SHEET 2 [IF 6 PATENTEU JUL I 61974 SHEU 3 BF 6PATENTEI] JUL 1 6 I974 SHEET B [If TABLE SUPPORTED SURGICAL RETRACTORAND PELVIC SUPPORT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION tirely satisfactory for anumber of reasons.

Some of the shortcomings of some prior art retractors are that they didnot insure'that the area being operated on was sterile, did not providefor a sufficiently great number of positions of the retracting blades,did not transmit the retracting blade force to the table itself butinstead transmitted this force to other portions of the patient and weredifficult to quickly assemble, disassemble and clean.

Some examples of prior art table supported surgical retractors are shownin the US. Pat. Nos.3,040,739,

. issued June 26, I962; 3,572,326, issued Mar. 23, 1971; and 2,586,488,issued Feb. 19, 1952.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION The present invention provides a tablesupported surgical retractor for shoulder or hip operations and is C-shaped in form and held rigidly by its side to the operating table. Theretractor extends upwardly and at an inclined angle over the operatingtable and over the patient located beneath theretractor. The open end ofthe C-shaped retractor permits the surgeon to move the arm or leg .ofthe patient during the operating procedure. The retractor provides agreat variety of anchoring points for the flexible cables to whichtheretracting blades are attached, and the retractor also provides a numberof projections around which the flexible cables can be trained so as topermit them to be directed at the proper angle from the area beingoperated on. The retractor blades can be quickly and easily adjusted andsupported on the retractor.

Another aspect of the invention relates to such a C- shaped retractorhaving means detachably 'secured across its open end and to which meansthe retractor blade cables may be attached, thereby providing 360 ofanchoring positions around the area being operated Another and importantaspect of the present invention relates to such a retractor having ananchoring means for rigidly securing it to the table in such a mannerthat a sterile barrier isolates the anchoring means, the component partsof the operating table, and the retractor from contaminating the woundsite.

Generally the present invention provides a C-shaped retractor heldrigidly by one of its sidesto the operating table and which retractorextends at an inclined angle over the patient for hip of shouldersurgery, and which permits the necessary range of motion of the patientslimb which is necessary in hip or shoulder operating procedures.

The retractor provided by the present invention is 'particularly strong,durable, and easily assembled, disassembled, cleaned and renderedsterile.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a body support for the pelvicregions and for securely holding the patient onhis side on the operatingtable for hip operations. The pelvic support includes means foranchoring the C-shaped surgical retractor above the patients hip byanchoring one side of the retractor to the pelvic support, whichretractor then extends over the operating table and patient and at aninclined angle. The entire arrangement insures that the patient issecurely held in position so that the surgeon knows the position of thevarious parts of thebody during the operation and permits the surgeon tomove the limbs or joints during the operating procedure.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention willappear hereinafter as this disclosure progresses, reference being had tothe accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of anoperating table on which the retractor of the present invention ismounted;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary view showing the parts in explodedrelationship, of the mounting for the retractor shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a transverse sectional view through the retractor, and furthershowing the various parts in exploded view for the sake of clarity;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the present invention as applied toan operating table and with the patient on the table and under theretractor;

FIG. 5 is a perspective, exploded view of three of the mounting portionsshown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the mounting means shown in FIG. 2,but when in the assembled relation;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 3, but showing the parts in assembledrelationship;

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view through the retractor and showing theblade anchoring means located in the retractor, the view being takengenerally along the line 8--8 in-FIG. 9, but on an enlarged scale;

FIG. 9 is a plan view showing the retractor in place over the patient; I

FIG. 10 is a view generally similar to FIG. 7, but furthermore showingthe retracting blades in place in the operation side in the patient;

FIGS. 11 to 18 are views of a modification of the invention andincluding a pelvic support;

FIG. 11 is a plan view of a patient being supported by the pelvicsupport of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 11, but showing the retractor of thepresent invention mounted on the pelvic support;

FIG. 13 is a transverse, elevational view of the pelvic support shown inFIGS. 11 and 12, but on an enlarged table with the pelvic support andretractor located over apatient, certain parts being omitted for claritysuch as the sterile barrier; and

' FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the patient in the pelvic supportwithout the retractor being located in place.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The retractor R made in accordancewith the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1 to 10 as secured in theside of an operating table. The table R itself is conventional and isshown in FIG. 1 and has the usual side rail 1 secured along each of itssides and on which are mounted a pair of slideable blocks 2 each havingan aperture 3 (FIG. 2) extending downwardly therethrough. Anchoringmeans are provided for the retractor and include an anchoring plate 4having a pair of downwardly extending portions 5 which are received inthe corresponding holes 3 in the blocks, and this plate is held captivein the blocks by the set screws 6 threadably engaged in the blocks andwhich can bear against the blocks 5 to hold the anchoring plate 4detachably but rigidly in the blocks. The anchoring means also includesa pair of brackets 8 and 9 which have alignable threaded holes 10 andunthreaded holesll, respectively, extending therethrough. Cap bolts 12extend freely through the unthreaded holes 11 and are threadablyengagable in the holes 10.

It will be noted that the brackets 8 and 9 are on opposite sides of theanchoring plate 4 and, as shown in FIG. 3, a sterile barrier, such as adrape 14 is located over the anchoring plate and between it and the twobrackets 8 and 9. When the cap screws 12 hole the anchoring means inassembled relationship, the sterile barrier 14 permits only the brackets8 and 9 and the retractor R to be exposed. The other elements, such asthe anchoring plate 4 and the operating table itself are covered by thesterile barrier 14. Thus, it is a rather easy matter to clean the partswhich are exposed and insure their sterility before the operation.

As shown in FIG. 9, the sterile barrier 14 has an opening cut thereinand immediately over the area of the patient in which the surgeon willwork. Also shown in FIG. 9 is the opening 22 itself in the patient andthe bone structure 23 to which the surgeon must have a clear access. I

The retractor R is of generally C-shaped configuration and has two sidelegs 15 and 16 and an intermediate portion 17. As shown in FIG. 10, theretractor R is also curved in a generally longitudinal direction of theC-shaped retractor so as to closely fit the contour of the patients bodywhen the patient is located beneath the retractor. If necessary, thepatient can be propped up or held firmly against the retractor withpillows or sand bags (not shown) that are positioned beneath thepatients body.

Generally, it will be noted that the C-shaped retractor is mounted byone of its legs to one side of the operating table only, and theretractor then extends over the table and the patient located beneathitand also extends, as shown in FIG. 10, in an upwardly inclineddirection over the patient. This particular positioning of theretractor, relative to the patient and the table, affords the surgeoncomplete and good accessibility to the area of the patient in which theoperation is to be performed. The retractor is completely and rigidlysupported by the table itself and when in use, as will appear, the forceof the retractor blades (to be described) is not transmitted to otherparts of the patient, but instead these forces are transmitted directlyto the operating table.

It should also be noted that the C-shaped retractor R provides an openend opposite from the intermediate portion 17 and this open end of theretractor permits the limb, that is to say, the leg when a hip operationis being performed or an arm when a shoulder operation is beingperformed, to be moved or shifted by the surgeon during the operation sothat the bones can be properly handled and operated on, or the necessaryimplants properly made. Even though the retractor thus provides an openend for such limb movement, the retractor provided by the presentinvention also provides a 360 adjustment of the retractor blades, aswill appear.

The retractor is rigidly bolted by two bolts 25 which extendtherethrough and which threadably engage in the threaded apertures 27 ofthe bracket 9.

The retractor R can be quickly positioned in place over the patientbecause the retractor R, brackets 8 and 9, anchor plate 4, bolts 12 andthe sterile barrier 14 can all be assembled ahead of time and then theanchor plate simply inserted in the blocks 2.

The retractor has a series of apertures 30 extending all around itsouter edge and also has a series of projections 31 in the form of capbolts which are located completely around the inner edge of theretractor.

- A number of retracting blades 33, 34, 35 and 36 are shown in use inFIG. 9 and these blades themselves are conventional and are used toretract the soft tissue, tendons, muscles or other portions of the body,away from the bone or other area to be worked on. In other words, theretractors forcibly hold back various parts of the body so the surgeonhas access to the area and as is known, theseretractor blades eliminatethe need for attendants at the operating table. The blades each have aflexible cable 38 attached at one end to the blades, and the other endof the cables have a block 40 rigidly fixed thereto and from which aplug or pin 41 (FIG. 8) extends. The plugs 41 are adapted to fit snuglyin any one of the apertures 30 and thus rigidly anchor that end of thecable. Any number of these retracting blades may be used during theoperation as necessary, and generally-speaking, the blades act with aleverage action against the bone structure and are applied withconsiderable force to the various tissues and other members of the bodyto hold the area open to the surgeon. Thus, the force necessary to betransmitted by the blades is considerable, and this force is absorbed bythe retractor itself and consequently, by the operating table, throughthe flexible cables and the blocks 40 and pins 41. The retractor issupported independently of the patient and consequently, the force ofthe retracting blades is transmitted directly to the operating table.

The blades, flexible cables, and their anchoring blocks 40 and pins 41,as well as any other exposed metal in the area, is preferably made ofstainless steel and is rendered sterile before use. The parts heretoforedescribed are simple in construction and free of crevices or other hardto clean cracks or surfaces and can easily be rendered sterile.

v The retracting blades must be pulled away from the opening in any oneof a variety of different angles, and the retractor provided by thepresent invention insures that any desired angle of thrust for theretractor is immediately and easily selectable by the surgeon, and thatthe surgeon can easily and quickly apply the retracting blade and anchorit with the proper amount-of force and in the proper direction. This isaccomplished by providing the easily insertable plugs for anchoring theend of the cable, which plugs may be located in the holes in a varietyof positions around the edge of the retractor. The projections 31 areprovided so the cables can be trained therearound so that the cableextends to the wound area at the precise line of thrust desired by thesurgeon. Thus, the surgeon first places the retractor at the desiredlocation in the patients opening, positions the cable away from thewound at the desired angle, trains the cable around the appropriateprojection 31, and then inserts the pin 41 in the appropriate hole 30 tomaintain the proper tension in the cable.

With the above described retractor and its mounting to the table, thepatient is securely held beneath the retractor and a sterile barrier isprovided over the wound area. The surgeon can stand closely adjacent thehip or shoulder area to be worked on, and the limb of the patient can bemanipulated as required. Because the patient is held firmly in positionon his back in the illustration shown in FIGS. 1 to 10, the patient willnot inadvertently be moved during the operation. The surgeon must knowthe position of the patient, which position may be difficult toascertain when the patient is covered by the sterile barrier, or due tothe fact that con siderable force is also applied during these surgicalprocedures or a considerable range ofmovement of the patients limbs bythe surgeon is necessary during these surgical procedures.

The retractor R is particularly designed for hip and shoulder surgicalprocedures which usually requires a great number of blades, hooks,claws, etc. at any one time and which must direct their force oftenthrough a 360 range of motion. This wide range of adjustment is possiblewith a C-shaped retractor R because of the provision of a cable 50, asshown in FIGJ9, which can be extended across the open end of theC-shaped retractor and then anchored at each of its ends by itsanchoringblocks 51. This cable 50 extending across the open end of the retractoris used to fasten the end of the retractor cable directly thereto. Thus,the 360 range of adjustment is provided, but nevertheless, the C-shapedretractor permits the surgeon to move the limb the necessary am0unt.

The present table mounted retractor ,is readily adapted to the inclinedposition, which is desirable for hip and shoulder operating procedures,permits awide variety of retracting devices to be used, permits a rangeof motion of the limb, provides absolute sterility that has becomeabsolutely necessary in large joint procedures, such as complete jointreplacement and in addition, the retractor assembly is strong, durableand easily cleaned.

PELVlC SUPPORT In some surgical procedures such as on the hip of thepatient, it is preferable to have the patient lie on his side during theoperation; As previouslystated however, it is essentialthat the body ofthe patient does not inadvertently shift during the operation and thisshifting heretofore has occurred due to the considerable, forcenecessary to be applied to the various bones of the body during theoperation and/or the placement of implants in the patient. The procedureis'furthermore complicated by the fact that it is often difficult forthe surgeon to ascertain during the operation, the exact position of thebody and more particularly the position of the hip components, and theplacement of these components at an exact spacial relationship isextremely important if they are to function properly. Thus, the positionof the patient is difficult to ascertain precisely during the operation,particularly when the patient is covered with the sterile barrier.

Consequently, a body support as shown in FIGS. 11

to 18 is provided so as to securely hold the patient on his side duringthe operation and still permit the necessary movement of the limb by thesurgeon during the operation, as heretofore mentioned. The body supporthereinafter described, holds the patient on his side and permits surgeryon the hip joint with the surgeon located at the back side of thepatient. This pelvic support has proven particularly valuable inmaintaining the position of the patient with certainty which is requiredwhen some hip components must be placed in the pa tient at the exactspacial relationship for proper functioning thereof.

More particularly, the pelvic support includes a base plate whichextends across the width of the operating table and is securely helddown on the table by the J-bolts 61, one of which extends through a slot62 in member 60 to thereby accommodate tables of different width. TheJ-bolts engage the side rails 1 along each side of the table. The pelvicsupport includes a first brace member 73 which may be secured directlyto the base plate 60 and extends upwardly therefrom from the surgeonsside of the operating table. This first brace member is provided with apadding 74 so as to avoid bruising of the patient. Attached to thesurgeons side of the first brace member is'an L-shaped bracket 75 whichis held by bolt means 76 to the brace 73. More specifically, theL-shaped bracket 75 has a slot 75a therein and through which the boltmeans 76 extend. Thus, the bracket 75 can be adjusted vertically to thedesired position so thatthe retractor R, which is attached to the plate9, can be positioned at the proper vertical height and directly over thepatient. More specifically, the retractor R is secured to the bracket 75by plates 8 and 9 and bolts 12. Here again, the sterile barrier isinterposed over the anchor bracket 75 and between this bracket andplates 8 and 9. A gusset plate 79 is provided'between the brace 75 andthe base plate 60 so as to prevent bending of the brace 73 when thepatient is clamped against it.

A second brace member 80 is adjustably positioned in the transversedirection to the base plate 60 by means of slot 81 (FIG. 14), and boltmeans 82 extending throughthe base plate 60 and through the slot 81.This second brace means includes two vertically spaced, vertical, paddedholders 84 and 85 which bear against the two pelvic bones of thepatient. The holder 85 is vertically adjustable by the bolt means 86which extend through the slot 87 in the bracket 80 and also through theholder 85. Thus, the vertical space between holders 84 and 85 may beadjusted to accommodate different size patients. Holders 84 and 85 arepressed against the patient firmly so the patient is clamped betweenbrace 73 and the holders 84 and 85 of the second bracket 80. Thisarrangement holds the patient firmly in place, but at the same timepermits the two legs, an intermediate portion and an open end; means forrigidly securing one of said legs of said retractor to an operatingtable and at an inclined angle above said table, a series of aperturesin and around said retractor, a series of projections arranged aroundsaid C-shaped retractor, and a retracting blade having a flexible cablesecured at one end thereto, said cable having a plug secured to itsother end for insertion in any one of said apertures, said cable beingpositioned around any one of said projections so as to position saidcable at a desired angle within the area bounded by said retractor.

2. The retractor assembly set forth in claim 1 including anchoring meansfor rigidly fastening said retractor leg to said table, said anchoringmeans including an anchor plate secured to said table, a bracket locatedon one side of said anchoring plate, said retractor being located on theother and opposite side of said anchoring plate, a flexible sterilebarrier inserted between said anchoring plate and said retractor andalso between said anchoring plate and said bracket and also extendingover a patient located beneath said retractor to thereby provide asterile barrier over said patient.

3. The retractor assembly as set forth in claim 2 including means forreleasably securing said anchor plate to said table whereby said anchorplate, retractor, bracket and sterile barrier can all be removed fromsaid table together as a unit.

4. The retractor set forth in claim 1 including cable means extendingacross the open end of said C-shaped retractor, means for releasablyfastening said cable means at each of its ends to said retractor,saidcable means providing anchoring means across said open end for aretractor blade assembly.

5. A table supported surgical. retractor assembly comprising a generallyC-shaped retractor including two legs, an intermediate portion and anopen end; anchoring means for rigidly securing one of said legs of saidretractor to an operating table and at an inclined angle above saidtable, said anchoring means including an anchor plate secured to saidtable, a bracket located on one side of said anchoring plate, saidretractor being located on the other and opposite side of said anchoringplate, a flexible sterile barrier inserted between said anchoring plateand said retractor and also between said anchoring plate and saidbracket and also extending over a patient located beneath said retractorto thereby provide a sterile barrier over said patient; said retractorhaving a series of apertures in and around said retractor, and a seriesof projections arranged around said C-shaped retractor; and a retractingblade having a flexible cable secured at one end thereto, said cablehaving a plug secured to its other end for insertion in any one of saidapertures, said cable being positioned around any one of saidprojections so as to position said cable at a desired angletwithin thearea bounded by said retractor; means for releasably securing saidanchor plate to said table whereby said anchor plate, retractor, bracketand sterile barrier can all be removed from said table together as aunit.

6. The retractor set forth in claim 5 including cable means extendingacross the open end of said C-shaped retractor, means for releasablyfastening said cable means at each of its ends of said retractor, saidcable means providing anchoring means across said open end for aretractor blade assembly.

7. A surgical retractor assembly for being supported rigidly on anoperating table and comprising a generally C-shaped retractor, means forrigidly securing said retractor to said operating table and at aninclined angle above said table, said retractor having a series ofapertures and a series of projections arranged therearound, a flexiblecable having a retracting blade secured at one end for insertion in anopening in a patient and a plug secured to the other end of said cablefor insertion in any one of said apertures in said retractor, saidprojections acting to abut against and position said cable at a desiredangle within the area bounded by said retractOI.

8. The retractor assembly set forth in claim 7 including anchoring meansfor rigidly fastening said retractor to said table, said anchoring meansincluding an anchor plate secured to said table, a bracket located onone side of said anchoring plate, said retractor being located on theother and opposite side of said anchoring plate, a flexible sterilebarrier inserted between said anchoring plate and said retractor andalso between said anchoring plate and said bracket and also extendingover a patient located beneath said retractor to thereby provide asterile barrier over said patient.

9. The retractor assembly as set forth in claim 8 including means forreleasably securing said anchor plate to said table whereby said anchorplate, retractor, bracket and sterile barrier can all be removed fromsaid table together as a unit.

10. A body support for being mounted transversely across an operatingtable for a patient undergoingsurgery, said support comprising a basemember mounted on said table, a first brace member secured to said basemember and extending upwardly therefrom, a second brace member securedto said base member in transversely spaced relation from said firstmember and also extending upwardly from said table, said second bracemember including a pair of vertically spaced pelvic area holders, one ofsaid holders being vertically adjustable relative to the other holders,a C-shaped surgical retractor detachably secured to one of said bracesand extending at an inclined angle over said braces so as to bepositioned over a patient located between said braces, said retractorand braces being arranged so as to permit freedom of movement by asurgeon of the patients leg while the patient is located between saidbraces and under said retractor, and means for adjusting one of saidbraces transversely relative to one another so as to firmly support apatient between said braces when said patient is lying on his side onsaid table.

11. The retractor assembly set forth in claim 10 including anchoringmeans for rigidly fastening said retractor to said one of said braces,said anchoring means including an anchor plate secured to one of saidbraces, a bracket located on one side of said anchoring plate, saidretractor being located on the other and opposite side of said anchoringplate, a flexible sterile barrier inserted between said anchoring plateand said retractor and also between said anchoring plate and saidbracket and also extending over a patient located beneath said retractorto thereby provide a sterile barrier over said patient.

12. The retractor assembly as set forth in claim 11 including means forreleasably securing said anchor plate to said one of said braces wherebysaid anchor plate,

retractor, bracket and sterile barrier can all be removed as a unit fromsaid one of said braces.

13. A table supported surgical retractor assembly comprising a generallyC-shaped retractor including two legs, an intermediate portion and anopen end; means for rigidly securing one of said legs of said retractorto an operating table with said retractor arranged at an inclined angleabove said table, cable anchoring means located around said retractor,and a series of cable engaging projections arranged around said C-shapedretractor and cables for engagement in said anchoring means and forbeing trained around said projections so as to vary the direction ofpull of said cables.

' 14. The retractor assembly set forth in claim 13 further characterizedin that said securing means includes an anchor plate secured to saidtable, a bracket located on one side of said anchoring plate, and saidretractor is located on the other and opposite side of said anchoringplate.

15. The retractor assembly as set forth in claim 14 including means forreleasably securing said anchor plate to said table whereby said anchorplate, retractor, and bracket can all be removed from said tabletogether as a unit.

16. The retractor set forth in claim 13 including cable means extendingacross the open end of said C-shaped retractor, means for releasablyfastening said. cable means at each of its ends to said retractor, saidcable means providing anchoring means across said open end for aretractor blade assembly.

1. A table supported surgical retractor assembly comprising a generallyC-shaped retractor including two legs, an intermediate portion and anopen end; means for rigidly securing one of said legs of said retractorto an operating table and at an inclined angle above said table, aseries of apertures in and around said retractor, a series ofprojections arranged around said C-shaped retractor, and a retractingblade having a flexible cable secured at one end thereto, said cablehaving a plug secured to its other end for insertion in any one of saidapertures, said cable being positioned around any one of saidprojections so as to position said cable at a desired angle within thearea bounded by said retractor.
 2. The retractor assembly set forth inclaim 1 including anchoring means for rigidly fastening said retractorleg to said table, said anchoring means including an anchor platesecured to said table, a bracket located on one side of said anchoringplate, said retractor being located on the other and opposite side ofsaid anchoring plate, a flexible sterile barrier inserted between saidanchoring plate and said retractor and also between said anchoring plateand said bracket and also extending over a patient located beneath saidretractor to thereby provide a sterile barrier over said patient.
 3. Theretractor assembly as set forth in claim 2 including means forreleasably securing said anchor plate to said table whereby said anchorplate, retractor, bracket and sterile barrier can all be removed fromsaid table together as a unit.
 4. The retractor set forth in claim 1including cable means extending across the open end of said C-shapedretractor, means for releasably fastening said cable means at each ofits ends to said retractor, said cable means providing anchoring meansacross said open end for a retractor blade assembly.
 5. A tablesupported surgical retractor assembly comprising a generally C-shapedretractor including two legs, an intermediate portion and an open end;anchoring means for rigidly securing one of said legs of said retractorto an operating table and at an inclined angle above said table, saidanchoring means including an anchor plate secured to said table, abracket located on one side of said anchoring plate, said retractorbeing located on the other and opposite side of said anchoring plate, aflexible sterile barrier inserted between said anchoring plate and saidretractor and also between said anchoring plate and said bracket andalso extending over a patient located beneath said retractor to therebyprovide a sterile barrier over said patient; said retractor having aseries of apertures in and around said retractor, and a series ofprojections arranged around said C-shaped retractor; and a retractingblade having a flexible cable secured at one end thereto, said cablehaving a plug secured to its other end fOr insertion in any one of saidapertures, said cable being positioned around any one of saidprojections so as to position said cable at a desired angle within thearea bounded by said retractor; means for releasably securing saidanchor plate to said table whereby said anchor plate, retractor, bracketand sterile barrier can all be removed from said table together as aunit.
 6. The retractor set forth in claim 5 including cable meansextending across the open end of said C-shaped retractor, means forreleasably fastening said cable means at each of its ends of saidretractor, said cable means providing anchoring means across said openend for a retractor blade assembly.
 7. A surgical retractor assembly forbeing supported rigidly on an operating table and comprising a generallyC-shaped retractor, means for rigidly securing said retractor to saidoperating table and at an inclined angle above said table, saidretractor having a series of apertures and a series of projectionsarranged therearound, a flexible cable having a retracting blade securedat one end for insertion in an opening in a patient and a plug securedto the other end of said cable for insertion in any one of saidapertures in said retractor, said projections acting to abut against andposition said cable at a desired angle within the area bounded by saidretractor.
 8. The retractor assembly set forth in claim 7 includinganchoring means for rigidly fastening said retractor to said table, saidanchoring means including an anchor plate secured to said table, abracket located on one side of said anchoring plate, said retractorbeing located on the other and opposite side of said anchoring plate, aflexible sterile barrier inserted between said anchoring plate and saidretractor and also between said anchoring plate and said bracket andalso extending over a patient located beneath said retractor to therebyprovide a sterile barrier over said patient.
 9. The retractor assemblyas set forth in claim 8 including means for releasably securing saidanchor plate to said table whereby said anchor plate, retractor, bracketand sterile barrier can all be removed from said table together as aunit.
 10. A body support for being mounted transversely across anoperating table for a patient undergoing surgery, said supportcomprising a base member mounted on said table, a first brace membersecured to said base member and extending upwardly therefrom, a secondbrace member secured to said base member in transversely spaced relationfrom said first member and also extending upwardly from said table, saidsecond brace member including a pair of vertically spaced pelvic areaholders, one of said holders being vertically adjustable relative to theother holders, a C-shaped surgical retractor detachably secured to oneof said braces and extending at an inclined angle over said braces so asto be positioned over a patient located between said braces, saidretractor and braces being arranged so as to permit freedom of movementby a surgeon of the patient''s leg while the patient is located betweensaid braces and under said retractor, and means for adjusting one ofsaid braces transversely relative to one another so as to firmly supporta patient between said braces when said patient is lying on his side onsaid table.
 11. The retractor assembly set forth in claim 10 includinganchoring means for rigidly fastening said retractor to said one of saidbraces, said anchoring means including an anchor plate secured to one ofsaid braces, a bracket located on one side of said anchoring plate, saidretractor being located on the other and opposite side of said anchoringplate, a flexible sterile barrier inserted between said anchoring plateand said retractor and also between said anchoring plate and saidbracket and also extending over a patient located beneath said retractorto thereby provide a sterile barrier over said patient.
 12. Theretractor assembly as set forth in claim 11 including means forreleasAbly securing said anchor plate to said one of said braces wherebysaid anchor plate, retractor, bracket and sterile barrier can all beremoved as a unit from said one of said braces.
 13. A table supportedsurgical retractor assembly comprising a generally C-shaped retractorincluding two legs, an intermediate portion and an open end; means forrigidly securing one of said legs of said retractor to an operatingtable with said retractor arranged at an inclined angle above saidtable, cable anchoring means located around said retractor, and a seriesof cable engaging projections arranged around said C-shaped retractorand cables for engagement in said anchoring means and for being trainedaround said projections so as to vary the direction of pull of saidcables.
 14. The retractor assembly set forth in claim 13 furthercharacterized in that said securing means includes an anchor platesecured to said table, a bracket located on one side of said anchoringplate, and said retractor is located on the other and opposite side ofsaid anchoring plate.
 15. The retractor assembly as set forth in claim14 including means for releasably securing said anchor plate to saidtable whereby said anchor plate, retractor, and bracket can all beremoved from said table together as a unit.
 16. The retractor set forthin claim 13 including cable means extending across the open end of saidC-shaped retractor, means for releasably fastening said cable means ateach of its ends to said retractor, said cable means providing anchoringmeans across said open end for a retractor blade assembly.